The Peterborough side sent shockwaves round the sport when recording their only victory on the road in a long, hard season at Wimborne Road back at the beginning of June.

But they were unable to provide a repeat performance when on the receiving end of a Bank Holiday bashing yesterday.

Danny King and Kenneth Bjerre again topped the Panthers scorechart to continue their fine personal form with 11 and nine points respectively, but the visitors were no match for a team tipped to claim championship glory in a few weeks' time.

Team manager Trevor Swales said: "It was a disappointing result, but that is the way it goes. Poole are a table-topping team and they are there justifiably based on what I saw from them.

"The track was abysmal and we lost it in the early stages when it was just way too wet. I had to have a word with the referee and insist there was a lot of grading work carried out, but the fact we haven't been riding regularly counted against us."

And Swales shrugged off below-par performances from two recent high-profile signings.

Club legend Ryan Sullivan could only contribute four points at a track where he has enjoyed two spells as a Poole rider, while GP man Lukas Dryml again struggled away from his Showground comfort zone.

Swales added: "Ryan struggled to find a good set-up all night while Lukas was riding in a fair bit of pain after coming off abroad over the weekend.

"Despite riding there a couple of times, Poole is not one of Ryan's favourite tracks and the same applies to Lukas.

"At the end of the day we brought those two riders in to and win us meetings at home and we mustn't forget we were away to a top side."

That reasoning may not wash with supporters who have had to put up with continual heavy losses on the road this season.